Topic: Roadside memorials (Read 9128 times)

Martin Kristiansen · « **on:** July 20, 2018, 03:35:14 am »

I have been shooting these memorials for about a year now. It have had some interest from a gallery owner wanting to give me an exhibition, depending on the quality of the work. I have not really shown any of these images up until now. Think I must have shot about 30 of them so far

Tony Jay · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2018, 03:48:20 am »

Is that a memorial to a road accident death or a death from violence (hijacking, taxi feuds, etc)?

Tony Jay

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2018, 03:53:37 am »

I don’t know. The name on the memorial in the Afrikaans work for Jackal, Jakkals in Afrikaans. It could be a highjacking but it would be an unusual place for that as people are most commonly hijacked at entrances to homes and so on. If it was taxi violence I don’t think it would be an Afrikaans nickname. Could be a pedestrian or cycling death.

That’s the thing with these memorials, the sense of mystery. I find I almost always come up with some or other narrative. This one really is odd though.

Tony Jay · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2018, 07:51:03 am »

Quote from: Martin Kristiansen on July 20, 2018, 03:53:37 am

I don’t know. The name on the memorial in the Afrikaans work for Jackal, Jakkals in Afrikaans. It could be a highjacking but it would be an unusual place for that as people are most commonly hijacked at entrances to homes and so on. If it was taxi violence I don’t think it would be an Afrikaans nickname. Could be a pedestrian or cycling death.

That’s the thing with these memorials, the sense of mystery. I find I almost always come up with some or other narrative. This one really is odd though.

Thanks Martin!

In any developed country a memorial like that would almost certainly represent a death from a road accident - but in South Africa anything is possible...

BTW I am an ex-pat, living now in Australia, but still travel regularly to Southern Africa...

Tony Jay

Eric Myrvaagnes · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2018, 08:39:47 am »

It is an odd image, but very compelling.
I'd like to see more of the series.

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2018, 08:53:40 am »

Quote from: Tony Jay on July 20, 2018, 07:51:03 am

Thanks Martin!

In any developed country a memorial like that would almost certainly represent a death from a road accident - but in South Africa anything is possible...

BTW I am an ex-pat, living now in Australia, but still travel regularly to Southern Africa...

Tony Jay

I guessed by your questions that you had local knowledge.

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2018, 02:22:49 pm »

Another from this series. Shot on Sunday.

Ivo_B · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2018, 03:39:14 pm »

Quote from: Martin Kristiansen on July 20, 2018, 03:35:14 am

I have been shooting these memorials for about a year now. It have had some interest from a gallery owner wanting to give me an exhibition, depending on the quality of the work. I have not really shown any of these images up until now. Think I must have shot about 30 of them so far

Interesting subject! I like to see more!

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2018, 03:59:21 am »

Thanks Ivo. I have shot many of these memorials. More than 30 I think. I have a few people interested in helping me towards an exhibition. It’s time to start looking for funding I think.

Ivophoto · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2018, 02:56:42 pm »

Quote from: Martin Kristiansen on August 14, 2018, 03:59:21 am

Thanks Ivo. I have shot many of these memorials. More than 30 I think. I have a few people interested in helping me towards an exhibition. It’s time to start looking for funding I think.

30 images makes a nice exhibition. How do you want to print and mount?

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2018, 03:26:32 pm »

I’m playing with a few ideas. Some I may do as a triptych. Playing on the theme of religious icons. I have found another 5 I want to shoot in the next week. One other close by I didn’t do well I need to try again. Still playing with colour and post to get a coherent message. I’m about a year away from finishing this

Have a gallery owner interested and a very senior curator helping me as well. I’m enjoying the process very much

ned · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2018, 09:08:59 am »

Nice project, I’ve had the same idea but never did anything with it (like many ideas). Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Two23 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2018, 09:36:18 am »

I tend to shoot these with a 1904 Kodak Brownie.

Kent in SD

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2018, 09:49:18 am »

Quote from: Two23 on August 15, 2018, 09:36:18 am

I tend to shoot these with a 1904 Kodak Brownie.

Kent in SD

Any particular reason for that?

Ivophoto · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2018, 03:25:23 pm »

Quote from: Martin Kristiansen on August 14, 2018, 03:26:32 pm

I’m playing with a few ideas. Some I may do as a triptych. Playing on the theme of religious icons. I have found another 5 I want to shoot in the next week. One other close by I didn’t do well I need to try again. Still playing with colour and post to get a coherent message. I’m about a year away from finishing this

Have a gallery owner interested and a very senior curator helping me as well. I’m enjoying the process very much

Good luck, Martin!

Two23 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 15, 2018, 06:55:53 pm »

Quote from: Martin Kristiansen on August 15, 2018, 09:49:18 am

Any particular reason for that?

Yes, primarily image quality. The uncoated single meniscus lens in the Brownie, couple with the vagaries of focus and low contrast, create a very ethereal look I just can't get with modern equipment. The center is reasonably sharp but that rapidly falls off away from center. It gives me a more timeless look, something I rarely find in current photography.

Kent in SD

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2018, 08:45:19 am »

And another. Even I know this isn’t street. Sorry Russ

brianrybolt · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2018, 02:14:52 pm »

Good luck with your project. I think it has lots of potential. Would make a great book. Where do you think it might be exhibited?

Best,
Brian

Martin Kristiansen · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2018, 03:35:41 pm »

Quote from: brianrybolt on August 18, 2018, 02:14:52 pm

Good luck with your project. I think it has lots of potential. Would make a great book. Where do you think it might be exhibited?

Best,
Brian

I would look firstly in Johannesburg. Now my home town so more easily arranged. I have someone interested but don’t want to say anything ahead of time. I would prefer a smaller space I think but that might change. Would love a book. That interests me the most. In the next few months I’m going to start looking for funding. Who knows. I could get lucky.

Riaan van Wyk · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2018, 03:13:35 am »

Martin, interesting subject, here in Kwazulu Natal one doesn't often see these. What I have noticed though are plaques people are putting up on the dolosses on the harbour wall, if I go there this afternoon I'll take a cellpic and share.

On another note: how are you going to publish the work in book form in SA? I've researched this for almost two years now and I can't find an avenue that makes any financial sense.

Author Topic: Roadside memorials (Read 9128 times)